Give the real fans a break

The criticism of
rugby league after the scenes at Eden Park on Saturday night is
unfair.

I was disgusted by
the actions of some of those in the ground but the canning league is taking
goes too far.

Nearly 44,000
people attended and the police made six arrests. That is six too many but it is
hardly the mayhem some are claiming.

The drunken louts
deserve everything they get, but some of the statements now being made are an
insult to ordinary league fans.

The Vodafone
Warriors played 12 home games this season at Mt Smart without a single
incident.

There was also a
test at that ground involving Samoa, at which the only incident was a Toa Samoa
fan running on to the end of the ground to wave his flag after his team scored
in the dying seconds of the game.

That test, as with
the others in Wellington and Rotorua, was played in great spirits. The crowds at
all these events made a significant contribution to the
atmosphere.

As an ambassador
for the New Zealand Rugby League I am concerned that the great game of league
has been tarnished by a handful of drunks.

But I will not sit
back and let all league fans be painted as louts. The condemnation of the
behavior we saw began on Saturday night at Eden Park, and it was led by the vast
majority of ordinary fans who were sickened by what they
saw.

What occurred can't
be defended. It was not the fault of rugby league or its many genuine
supporters.

Those involved in
what happened should be ashamed of themselves, but I remain fiercely proud of
the game and the Kiwis, and most of all of the thousands of wonderful people I
have met through the game.